Power apparatus



Oct. 19, 1937. L. s. TROE'LL 2,096,214

POWER APPARATUS Filed March 26, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l LEW/5 5. TEOELL INVENTOR AT ORNEY Oct. 19, 1937. s. TROELL POWER APPARATUS Filed March 26, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 LfW/S 5. mac-u \NVENTOR BY A AT ORNEY 'L. S. TROELL POWER APPARATUS Get. 19, 1937.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 26, 1936 LEW/5 5. TROfLL INVENTOR ATTO RNEY Patented Get. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES POWER APPARATUS Lewis S. Troell, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application March 26, 1936, Serial No. 70,970

6 Claims.

This invention relates topowen'apparatus in and the like.

One special application of the invention is providing the power for operating tall gate elevators, such as covered in the Troell Patents 1,919,608 and 1,977,655.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a rugged powerful unit of simple design and construction, which can be manufactured at low cost, which will be useful for many purposes and which will be particularly suited to the operating of tail gate elevators and similar loading and unloading devices.

Further special objects are to provide a compact unit of relatively light weight and small size, which can be readily mounted and adustably set as may be required, in a relatively small space 20 and which may be operated for forward and reverse or hoisting and lowering operations from a power takeoff shaft turning continuously in the one. direction.

I Other special objects are to provide apparatus 25 of these characteristics, which can be accurately.

controlled and which will be reliable and safe in operation.

Other objects and the novel features of construction, combinations and relations of parts by 30 which the objects are attained will appear and are set forth in the followingspecification, are

illustrated in the accompanying drawings and are broadly covered in the claims.

The drawings accompanying and forming part 35 of the specification illustrate a practical embodiment of the invention, but it should be realized that the actual physical structure may be modified and changed in various ways, all within the true intent and broad scope of the claims. .40 Fig. 1 is a broken plan view of one of the power units shown as applied to a motor truck for the operation of a tail gate elevator.

Fig. 2 is a broken part sectional and part side elevation view of the same..

45 Fig. 3 is a broken side elevation illustrating particularly the operating connections to the tail gate elevator.

Fig. 4 is a broken rear elevation of the tail gate 50 structure with parts indicated in section as on substantially the plane of line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged broken sectional detail of the adjustable connecting means at one end of the tail gate.

55 Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the power unit as it appears transversely of the truck, substan tially on the plane of line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 7 and 8 are frn'ther enlarged broken sectional views of the unit as on substantially the planes of lines 1-1 and 8-3 of Fig. 9. 5

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the unit as on substantially the plane of line Q-il of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a broken part sectional detail of part of the guides for carrying the hoisting cables from the truck frame out of the elevator rams at the 10 rear of the truck body.

Fig. 11 is a broken part sectional view of the rams and tail gate as on substantially the plane of line Hll of Fig. 4.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the power unit is indicated at 15 i5, mounted on the side sills l 6, of a truck frame and operated through shafting H, from the transmission lll, to turn the drums IQ, for cables 20, which pass over guide pulleys 2i and 22, upwardly and down over pulleys 23, Figs. 3 and 4, to the slid'ably mounted tail gate 24.

connected at their lower ends by the cross rod 21,

to which the cables are attached and which forms the hinging support for the tail gate. For the latter purpose, the tail gate has a bushing or sleeve 23, which rides on the rod 21, and which abuts the inner faces of the rams, Figs. 4 and 11, to act as a definite spacer between the same. The opposing inner walls of the rams are shown as m slotted upwardly from the bottom at 23, to receive the cross shaft 21, and to provide seats against which this shaft can exert upward thrust on the rams. The outside walls of the rams then serve as abutments for the ends of the cross shaft. This construction permits of certain transverse levelling adjustments of the tall gate and preferably the cables are connected in a manner to facilitate such adjustments. Thus in the illustration the cable ends are engaged with inverted U bolts 33, which extend down through bearing blocks 3i, having open bearings 32, in their upper ends for the end portions of thecross shaft, the nuts 33 on the lower ends of these U bolts enabling ready adjustment and permitting the dropping of the tail gate if required, for repair or replacement.

The inner sides of the guides 26 are shown slotted at 34, for passage of the tail gate sleeve 28, and for passage of the inwardly extending studs 35, on the rams which form the supports for the tail gate chains 36.

The lower guide pulleys 2| and 22 are shown in Figs. 1 and 10, as joumailed on vertical and horizontal axes respectively in angled brackets 31,

38, fixedly engaged with opposite ends of the hollow struts 39, and secured respectively to the sides of the truck frame and to the lower end portions of ram guides 26.

As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the cable drums l9, are

' fixed on the ends of a shaft 49, which has fixed on it at an intermediate point, a worm gear 4|. The latter is engaged by a worm 42, carried by an integral or separately formed tubular shafting 43, journalled at opposite ends by combination radial and thrust bearings 44, in a gear casing 45. The power takeofi shafting |1 extends through and is free to rotate within the tubular worm shaft 43, and is shown in Fig. 9, as having bearings in the opposite ends of that shaft at 46.

Power for lifting and lowering is transmitted from shaft l1, to the worm through clutches dis- 50, slidably keyed on power shaft i1, and shiftable under control of clutch lever 5|, in respect to clutch member 52, which is keyed to bevel gear 53, opposite a corresponding bevelgear 54 fixed to the opposite extendedend of the worm gear shaft 43, motion reversing bevel pinions 55, Fig. 8, being journalled on fixed centers in position interposed between these facing gears.

In the present illustration, the reversing or lowering load is practically nil, so the reversing clutch and gearing canbe of quite light construction and as indicated, the power shaft may be lightened to take these latter parts by turning I( lint/n the reduced extension of the same, 56,

To eilect simultaneous reverse actuation of the clutches, the two clutch levers 49, 5|, are shown directly connected together by clevis links 51, 58, and these are indicated in Fig. 9 as adjustably coupled by a turn-buckle nut 59, for enabling the accurate setting of the two clutches.

For holding the both clutches normally disengaged, centralizing springs are indicated at 66,

' 6|, Fig. 9, bearing against forked lugs v62, 63, on

the bottom of the gear case and acting against fixed shoulders 64, 65, on the clevis links.

Various connections for operating the clutches may be employed, depending upon particular installations. In the present disclosure, a shifting lever 66, is shown pivoted at. 61, to the underside of the gear case, Figs. 6 and '7, and as having a forked inner end 68, engaged between shoulders 69, on the turnbuckle nut 59, the outer end of said lever being connected by link 18, Figs. 1 and 2, with arm 1|, on a rock shaft 12, having a squared outer end 13, for reception of a control crank or lever 14.

The gear case 45 is shown in Figs. 6, 'I and 8, as extended at the sides by tubing 15, teenclose the drum shaft 40, and carry the outer bearings for the latter. These tubular extensions of the gear case also provide the means for mounting the unit, on the frame of the truck, they being shown as seating on bearing plates 16, resting on the sills l6, and over which are secured the clamp plates 11, held by bolts 18. This construction. enables the unit to be readily fixed at any position longitudinally of the truck frame and to be set at any angle which may be required for the power takeoff from the transmission or other 5 power source. Also, as will be further evident, this method of mounting enables the unit to be entirely turned around from the position shown in full lines, Fig. l, to that indicated in broken lines, as for connecting with a transmission 10- lo cated in front instead of in back of the same.

The shaft casing extensions 15, are shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, as carried by the detachableside plates 19, of the gear case and these are illustrated as interchangeable for enabling the locatl5 ing of the power unit to either side of the longitudinal center of the truck, that is, when these tubular casing extensions are of different lengths, a ,in the illustration.

. In similar fashion,.th aring caps 89, 8|, Fig. 20 9, for the opposite ends of the r orm shaft I may be interchangeably secured in the op ends of the gear case 45, so that if required, the forward and reverse clutch mechanism may be interchanged at opposite ends of the unit. Thus 25 by the reversibility of parts described and the reversible adjustable mounting of the unit as a whole, the construction may be adapted to and used to meet many different requirements.

To aid in holdingthe unit in the desired angu- 30 lar relation to which it may be set, a brace or braces, such as indicated at 82, Figs. 1 and 6, may be extended from the bottom or underslung portion of the gear case to one or more of the clamp bolts 18, securing the unit down on the truck 3:, frame.

The parts of the unit are compactly arranged, so that it requires but comparatively small space and all parts are rugged and strong, adapted to I heavy service over extended periods without at- 40 tention. All parts can be fully lubricated from an ample supply of lubricant contained in the gear case. with the clutches disengaged as normally, there is practically no power lossas the power take-off shaft simply turns idly in its bear- 45 ings. The worm gearing provides a, desired speed reduction for hoist and other power purposes and serves as well to hold the hoist or other mechanism in any desired relation at the instant of de-clutching. The unit may be directly con- 50 nected with the power source by shafting and universal joints, or be driven through the regular standard S. A. E. transmission openings. Also, it may be operated by chain and sprockets, or gears applied to the power shaft H, at either end 5 of the unit. With this special combination, the hoist may be instantly started, stopped or reversed. The full power'is available for hoisting, but since the lowering is effected by merely backing the worm away from the worm gear, only 60 small bevel gears are required at the reversing end of the machine. Friction clutches are preferred for easy starting purposes and these provide a safety factor in that they may slip to prevent over-loading or breakage of parts. Both 05 lifting and lowering is accomplished from a single shaft constantly rotating in the one direction and providing-instantly available power. The structure is well balanced, the underslung construction causing it to run smoothly and quietly 70 without vibration. The tail gate hinge bai simply floats in the supporting blocks permitting adjustments to be made for levelling the tail gate. These adjustments are at the ends of the cables, beneath the floating hinge blocks and can be 7 readily made by one knowing the structure. While adapted to many uses, the power unit is of particular utility combined with the cable hoist in the manner here disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a power unit of the character disclosed, the combination of a worm gear and a worm for driving the same, a power shaft extending rotatably through said Worm, clutches at opposite ends of said worm for coupling the same with said power shaft, one of said clutches being directly connected with the worm for effecting rotation of the same with the power shaft and direction reversing gearing at the other clutch for effecting rotation of the worm, counter to the power shaft, a shaft operated by said worm gear, a casing for said worm gearing, including oppositely projecting tubular extensions in which said worm gear shaft is journaled and adjustable supporting means for said tubular extensions and by which said entire unit may be supported in different positions.

a gear case enclosing said worm gearing and worm gear shaft and meansfor adjustably securing said gear case in different angular relations.-

3. A power unit of the character disclosed comprising in combination, a worm gear, a worm enaged therewith and having tubular shafting, bearings at opposite ends of and supporting said tubular worm shafting against endwise movement, a clutch element at one end of and mounted to rotate with said'tubular worm shafting, a gear at the opposite end of and mounted to rotate with said tubular worm shafting, a power shaft extending rotatably through said tubular worm shafting, a companion clutch element on said shafting opposed to said first clutch element, a second gear opposed to said first gear, a motion reversing gear interposed between said first and second gears, a clutch element connected to rotate with said second gear, a companion clutch element carried by said power shaft and means for effecting selective engagement and disengagement of said companion clutch elements at the opposite ends of said worm shafting.

4. A'power unit of the character disclosed comprising in combination, a worm gear, a worm engaged therewith and having tubular shafting, bearings at opposite ends of and supporting said tubular worm shafting against endwise movement, a clutch element at one end of and mounted to rotate with said tubular worm shafting, a gear at the opposite end of and mounted to rotate with said tubular worm shafting, a power shaft extending rotatably through said tubular worm shafting, a companion clutch element on said shafting opposed to said first clutch element, a second gear opposed to said first gear, a motion reversing gear interposed between said first and second gears, a clutch element connected to roclutch elements which turn with the shafting being slidably keyed thereon and shiftable into and out of engagement with the companion clutch elements and said companion clutch elements being keyed respectively to said worm shafting and to said second gear.

5. A power unit of the character disclosed comprising in combination, a worm gear, a worm engaged therewith and having tubular shafting, bearings at opposite ends of and supporting said tubular worm shafting against endwise movement, a clutch element at one end of and mounted to rotate with said tubular worm shafting, a gear at the opposite end of and mounted to rotate with said tubular worm shafting, a power shaft extending rotatably through said tubular worm shafting, a companion clutch element on said shafting opposed to said first clutch element, a second gear opposed to said first gear, a motion reversing gear interposed between said first and second gears, a clutch element connected to rotate with said second gear, a companion clutch element carried by said power shaft and means for effecting selective engagement and disengagement of said companion clutch elements at the opposite ends of said worm shafting, one of said clutch elements at each end of the worm shafting being relatively shiftable toward and away from the companion clutch element and said means for effecting selective engagement and disengagement of the clutch elements, including reversely acting levers for shifting said relatively shiftable clutch elements in opposite directions, linkage connecting said levers to effect clutch engaging movement of one lever upon clutch releasing movement of the other lever, spring means for centralizing said linkage to hold both clutch levers normally in neutral position and a control member connected with said linkage for positively shifting the same in one direction or the other in opposition to said centralizing means.

6. A reversible power unit'comprising a worm gear, a worm engaged therewith and having tubular shafting, bearings at opposite ends of and supporting said worm shafting against endwise movement, a clutch element carried by one end of said worm shafting, a bevel gear carried by the opposite end of said worm shafting, a power shaft extending rotatably through said worm shafting, a clutch element slidingly keyed on said power shafting opposite said first clutch element, a bevel gear mounted in opposition to said bevel gear at the other end of said worm shafting, an interposed motion reversing bevel pinion between and in mesh with said bevel gears, a clutch element carried by said second bevel gear, a companion clutch element slidingly keyed on said power shaft, levers mounted to thrust said slidingly keyed clutch elements on the power shaft into engagement with the companion clutch elements and means for shifting said levers in opposite directions to effect selective engagement and disengagement of the clutch elements described.

LEWIS S. 'IROELL. 

